Foster: We were sloppy at the back
Credit:
A downcast Ian Foster spoke to Extratime after Dundalk's surprise defeat to Bray Wanderers on Monday and he wasn’t looking for any sympathy.
It was only the second time this season that the Lilywhites tasted defeat, yet it stung that little bit more as this result came at Oriel Park and the visitor's winning goal arrived in injury time.
With the inspirational JJ Melligan missing, there was a noticeable lack of spark to Dundalk's play, but Foster was more concerned with how his team defended on the night.
"We didn’t deserve to get nothing out of the game. I’m disappointed that we didn’t keep the back door shut, we pressed and pressed but we’ve conceded three goals against Bray, who’ve scored four all season before tonight so that’s disappointing," Foster told Extratime.
"Of course we missed JJ Melligan. We missed him going forward and his energy but that’s not the reason we conceded three goals.
"We switched off, the penalty was very generous and the second and third goals were sloppy. Coming up to half-time when your 2-1 up you should have enough about you to see the four minutes out.
"Then in the 91st minute when you’re throwing everything at them, [Bray broke and scored the winner] it's disappointing but we’ll take our medicine, we’ll dust ourselves down and we come out fighting for the next one.”
Dundalk skipper and defensive rock Liam Burns had to be replaced in the second-half and Lilywhites fans will be hoping he will be available for Friday's Louth derby against Drogheda United.
According to Foster, the initial impression is that the injury is not too serious: "We’ll assess Burnsy in the morning he’s got a slight knee flexor strain and we’ll know more in the morning."
It was only the second time this season that the Lilywhites tasted defeat, yet it stung that little bit more as this result came at Oriel Park and the visitor's winning goal arrived in injury time.
With the inspirational JJ Melligan missing, there was a noticeable lack of spark to Dundalk's play, but Foster was more concerned with how his team defended on the night.
"We didn’t deserve to get nothing out of the game. I’m disappointed that we didn’t keep the back door shut, we pressed and pressed but we’ve conceded three goals against Bray, who’ve scored four all season before tonight so that’s disappointing," Foster told Extratime.
"Of course we missed JJ Melligan. We missed him going forward and his energy but that’s not the reason we conceded three goals.
"We switched off, the penalty was very generous and the second and third goals were sloppy. Coming up to half-time when your 2-1 up you should have enough about you to see the four minutes out.
"Then in the 91st minute when you’re throwing everything at them, [Bray broke and scored the winner] it's disappointing but we’ll take our medicine, we’ll dust ourselves down and we come out fighting for the next one.”
Dundalk skipper and defensive rock Liam Burns had to be replaced in the second-half and Lilywhites fans will be hoping he will be available for Friday's Louth derby against Drogheda United.
According to Foster, the initial impression is that the injury is not too serious: "We’ll assess Burnsy in the morning he’s got a slight knee flexor strain and we’ll know more in the morning."
